HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) The U.S. Department of Transportation has rejected a request by Connecticut to streamline the paperwork for a multimillion-dollar high-speed rail project.

John Porcari, Deputy Secretary of Transportation, told 5th District Congresswoman Elizabeth Esty at a congressional hearing on Tuesday that state transportation officials must keep three grants separate for the $365 million rail line from New Haven to Springfield, Mass. The federal portion is about $191 million and the state has committed about $175 million.

John Bernick, manager of the 62-mile rail project, said in an interview Wednesday that tapping three accounts is a ``bit of an administrative nightmare.'' Connecticut hoped to establish one fund.

Final designs are being drafted and fiber optic cables have been installed.

Construction is expected to begin next summer and the project should be completed by late 2016.